Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Story Prize?

The Story Prize is an annual book award honoring the author of an outstanding collection of short fiction with a $20,000 cash award. Each of two runners-up will receive $5,000. Eligible books must be written in English (by a living writer) and first published in the United States during a calendar year. The finalists and winner we announce each year are for books published the previous year. Translated works are not eligible.

How are books considered for the award?

Publishers, authors, or agents may enter eligible works of short fiction. Guidelines and application forms may be found by following the appropriate links on this site under the INFO menu. The deadline for books published from January through June was July 1. For books published from July through December, the deadline is November 16. The Story Prize reserves the right to decline any entry. Please contact us if the $75 entry fee presents a hardship, and we will consider waiving it. Please keep in mind that The Story Prize is itself not a for-profit organization and has a limited budget.

How is the winner decided?

Larry Dark, director of The Story Prize, and Founder Julie Lindsey select three finalists from among the books entered. Three independent judges choose the winner from among the finalists. We generally receive between 100 and 120 short story collections each year as entries.

Who will serve as the judges?

The group of judges will have a different composition every year but will consist of a mix of writers, booksellers, readers, critics, teachers, publishers, and editors. One judge is always a fiction writer, a second judge is either a bookseller or librarian in alternating years, and the third is generally a critic or editor or someone else associated with the short story. The judges for books published in 2026 are writer and 2020/21 Story Prize winner Deesha Philyaw, journalist and critic Michael Schaub, and Los Angeles bookseller Josh Spencer.

When will the finalists be announced?

We will announce the finalists for books published in 2026 in January 2027.

How will the winner be announced?

We will announce the 23rd winner of The Story Prize, for books published in 2026 at an event consisting of readings by and interviews with the three finalists on April 7, 2027. The winer will receive an engraved silver bowl and $20,000. The other two finalists will each received $5,000. The event will be live-streamed, with video posted in the days that follow.

What is The Story Prize Spotlight Award?

The Story Prize Spotlight Award is an additional $1,000 prize for the author of an outstanding story collection that merits further attention. Director Larry Dark will select the winner from among the regular pool of entries for The Story Prize. Every submission also receives consideration for The Story Prize Spotlight Award. There is no separate entry process or additional fee.